Latest news with #HeatherDonahue
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
She starred in iconic horror movie...and now she's enraged Maine neighbors by spraying orange crosses on TREES
Blair Witch Project star Heather Donahue has once again found herself in trouble in the woods, this time embroiled in a spat with her Maine neighbors. The retired actress, 50, bought property in the tiny 700-resident town of Freedom in 2020 and was elected to the town's governing body, its Select Board in 2024. However, she was ousted just over a year into her tenure over a property dispute, reported Midcoast Villager. A recall effort was launched after Donahue used orange spray paint to mark trees on what neighbors claim is private property along Beaver Ridge Road. Donahue painted the orange cross using historical maps to show what she claims is public property. Abutting property owners of the road said the overgrown stretch is private and to use it for public access is trespassing. The dispute led to the first successful recall petition drive in the town's 212-year history and Donahue was removed in April. Tyler Hadyniak, one of the abutting property owners, told the Associated Press the recall wasn't just about the trail, it addressed a pattern of behavior by Donahue that chafed longer-established residents in the year since she took office. 'I was relieved that the recall was successful. I thought Heather's demeanor and behavior toward others was just unbecoming of a town official,' Hadyniak said. Donahue has defenders in town, including Bob Kanzler, who served on a local roads committee and agrees the disputed path is public. 'Heather has done a wonderful job in researching these discontinued roads in town,' Kanzler said. 'I know the road is public.' The domain of the road remains unresolved, with the town and abutting landowners fighting it out in court. Despite the ongoing battle over the road, Donahue said she has found peace in Maine and plans to stay put. 'I mean, this is where humans flourish,' she said of the Freedom woods. 'I've figured out a way to do a lot with very little. That was all kind of centered around being able to walk in the woods.' Following The Blair Witch Project, Donahue struggled with alcoholism, left acting, became a medical marijuana farmer and wrote a memoir. She moved to Maine eight years ago, overcame her addiction and bought land in Freedom in 2020. Recently, she has worked as a life coach and shared her passions for gardening and medicinal plants with anyone who will listen. She said she is not interested in reliving the glory of starring in the film that was released in 1999 and is one of the most successful independent movies of all time. The film sparked a resurgence of interest in 'found footage' style horror movies, wowed critics and polarized audiences with its homespun take on terror. It also led Donahue to years of legal wrangling over compensation and the right to her likeness. The film follows the disappearance of three student filmmakers in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, while shooting a documentary on the local legend known as the Blair Witch. It starred Heather Donahue, Michael Williams and Joshua Leonard playing fictionalized versions of themselves using their real names. The actors shot nearly all of the footage shown in the film themselves. They only got paid $500-a-week for their work on the film, with filming lasting only eight days and when the film grossed $100million, they only received a fruit basket for their contributions. Despite the film making millions, the actors profited little of that success and even had to spend several months after the film's release lying low as part of the marketing campaign to make fans believe they were actually missing and presumed dead like the movie alleged. Donahue even had to issue a statement to the New York Times that she was still alive after someone marked her as deceased on IMDb, negatively impacting her career.
Boston Globe
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Still finding trouble in the woods: ‘Blair Witch Project' star at center of Maine road dispute
But the last several months of Donahue's time in the Maine woods have been anything but magical, or peaceful. In a twist of fate harkening back to her movie career, Donahue has been embroiled in a spat with locals in her tiny, 700-resident town of Freedom that hinges on her marking trees with the kind of orange blazes that help people find their way in the dense forests. Get Love Letters: The Newsletter A weekly dispatch with all the best relationship content and commentary – plus exclusive content for fans of Love Letters, Dinner With Cupid, weddings, therapy talk, and more. Enter Email Sign Up Donahue had been a member of the town's governing body, its Select Board, but lost a recall election recently after a controversy about whether a rural road that cuts through the woods is public or private. The matter remains unresolved, with the town and abutting landowners fighting it out in court. Advertisement A blaze painted on a tree with temporary surveyor's paint is seen on a tree during Heather Donahue's walk on a rural road, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Freedom, Maine. Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press The road at the center of the dispute The road in question is Beaver Ridge Road, a narrow, partially hilly stretch flanked by wild plants and songbirds that goes from paved to gravel to dirt as it stretches deeper into the forest. Several abutters of the road say the unimproved section is private and to use it for activities such as all-terrain vehicle riding constitutes trespassing. Donahue, and the town itself, hold that the entire road is public. Advertisement Donahue painted the orange blazes using historical maps to show what she holds is the center of a public easement. Abutting property owners were incensed and the first successful recall petition drive in the town's 212-year history followed. Donahue was removed in April and an election to pick her successor is planned for next month. Tyler Hadyniak, one of the abutting property owners, said the recall wasn't just about the orange blazes or the woodland trail. He said it addressed a pattern of behavior by Donahue that chafed longer-established residents in the year since she took office. 'I was relieved that the recall was successful. I thought Heather's demeanor and behavior toward others was just unbecoming of a town official,' Hadyniak said. Life after 'The Blair Witch Project' Donahue, who is originally from Pennsylvania and has spent long stretches of time living in California and traveling abroad, said she is aware of her status as what she called 'a lady from away.' She arrived in Maine after a winding journey in which she struggled with alcoholism, left acting, became a medical marijuana farmer and wrote a memoir. Donahue said she came to the Pine Tree State eight years ago, overcame her addiction and bought land in Freedom in 2020. Recently, she has worked as a life coach and shared her passions for gardening and medicinal plants with anyone who will listen. She isn't especially interested in reliving the glory of starring in 'The Blair Witch Project,' which was released in 1999 and is one of the most successful independent movies of all time. The film sparked a resurgence of interest in 'found footage' style horror movies, wowed critics and polarized audiences with its homespun take on terror. It also led Donahue to years of legal wrangling over compensation and the right to her likeness. Advertisement Heather Donahue, the star of the 1999 low-budget hit movie The Blair Witch Project, poses next to a "posted" sign in on a rural road, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Freedom, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press Donahue makes occasional tongue-in-cheek references to the movie in passing, but also said it struck her several years ago that her life was inseparable from the film in ways that weren't entirely comfortable: 'I had this really difficult moment of realizing my obituary was written for me when I was 25.' Ordinarily, the hottest gossip in Freedom concerns the peskiness of the local blackflies or the quality of the fishing on Sandy Pond. But the row over the road has become the talk of the sleepy town some 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of the state capital of Augusta. Donahue has defenders in town, including Bob Kanzler, who served on a local roads committee and agrees the disputed path is public. 'Heather has done a wonderful job in researching these discontinued roads in town,' Kanzler said. 'I know the road is public.' Despite the ongoing battle over the road, Donahue said she has found peace in Maine. And she's not going anywhere. 'I mean, this is where humans flourish,' she said of the Freedom woods. 'I've figured out a way to do a lot with very little. That was all kind of centered around being able to walk in the woods.'
Toronto Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
'Blair Witch Project' star at centre of Maine road dispute
Published May 17, 2025 • 4 minute read Heather Donahue, the star of the The Blair Witch Project, pauses on a walk to watch a songbird,Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Freedom, Maine. Photo by Robert F. Bukaty / AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. FREEDOM, Maine (AP) — Heather Donahue is walking through the woods once again. The star of the successful low-budget horror movie 'The Blair Witch Project' has an on-screen history of getting into scary situations in a forest. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But this time she is merely picking up an old soda can someone carelessly left on a trail. And she wouldn't want to be anywhere else. 'For me, reading fairy tales, I always wanted to live in the forest,' said Donahue, 51, who moved on from acting long ago and now lives in rural Maine. 'It is absolutely as magical as it seemed in those storybooks.' But the last several months of Donahue's time in the Maine woods have been anything but magical, or peaceful. In a twist of fate harkening back to her long ago movie career, Donahue has been embroiled in a spat with locals in her tiny, 700-resident town of Freedom that hinges on her marking trees with the kind of orange blazes that help people find their way in the dense forests. Donahue had been a member of the town's governing body, its Select Board, but lost a recall election recently after a controversy about whether a rural road that cuts through the woods is public or private. The matter remains unresolved, with the town and abutting landowners fighting it out in court. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The road in question is Beaver Ridge Road, a narrow, partially hilly stretch flanked by wild plants and songbirds that goes from paved to gravel to dirt as it stretches deeper into the forest. Several abutters of the road say the unimproved section is private and to use it for activities such as all-terrain vehicle riding constitutes trespassing. Donahue, and the town itself, hold that the entire road is public. Donahue painted the orange blazes using historical maps to show what she holds is the center of a public easement. Abutting property owners were incensed and the first successful recall petition drive in the town's 212-year history followed. Donahue was removed in April and an election to pick her successor is planned for next month. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tyler Hadyniak, one of the abutting property owners, said the recall wasn't just about the orange blazes or the woodland trail. He said it addressed a pattern of behaviour by Donahue that chafed longer established residents in the year since she took office. 'I was relieved that the recall was successful. I thought Heather's demeanour and behaviour toward others was just unbecoming of a town official,' Hadyniak said. Life after 'The Blair Witch Project' Donahue, who is originally from Pennsylvania and has spent long stretches of time living in California and traveling abroad, said she is aware of her status as what she called 'a lady from away.' She arrived in Maine after a winding journey in which she struggled with alcoholism, left acting, became a medical marijuana farmer and wrote a memoir. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Donahue said she came to the Pine Tree State eight years ago, overcame her addiction and bought land in Freedom in 2020. Recently, she has worked as a life coach and shared her passions for gardening and medicinal plants with anyone who will listen. She isn't especially interested in reliving the glory of starring in 'The Blair Witch Project,' which was released in 1999 and is one of the most successful independent movies of all time. The film sparked a resurgence of interest in 'found footage' style horror movies, wowed critics and polarized audiences with its homespun take on terror. It also led Donahue to years of legal wrangling over compensation and the right to her likeness. Donahue makes occasional tongue-in-cheek references to the movie in passing, but also said it struck her several years ago that her life was inseparable from the film in ways that weren't entirely comfortable: 'I had this really difficult moment of realizing my obituary was written for me when I was 25.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ordinarily, the hottest gossip in Freedom concerns the peskiness of the local blackflies or the quality of the fishing on Sandy Pond. But the row over the road has become the talk of the sleepy town some 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of the state capital of Augusta. Donahue has defenders in town, including Bob Kanzler, who served on a local roads committee and agrees the disputed path is public. 'Heather has done a wonderful job in researching these discontinued roads in town,' Kanzler said. 'I know the road is public.' Despite the ongoing battle over the road, Donahue said she has found peace in Maine. And she's not going anywhere. 'I mean, this is where humans flourish,' she said of the Freedom woods. 'I've figured out a way to do a lot with very little. That was all kind of centred around being able to walk in the woods.' Toronto Maple Leafs Sunshine Girls Golf World Columnists
South Wales Guardian
17-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Blair Witch Project star at centre of woodland dispute
Heather Donahue starred in the low-budget 1999 film about three film students who disappear in the woods while making a documentary about a legendary figure known as the Blair Witch. Now, 50-year-old Donahue – who left acting behind years ago – lives in the US state of Maine, in the town of Freedom, which has around 700 residents. In a twist of fate harkening back to her movie career, Donahue has been embroiled in a spat with locals that hinges on her marking trees with orange blazes to help people find their way in the dense forests. Donahue had been a member of the town's governing body, its select board, but lost a recall election recently after a controversy about whether a rural road that cuts through the woods is public or private property. The matter remains unresolved, with the town and abutting landowners fighting it out in court. The route in question is Beaver Ridge Road, a narrow, partially hilly stretch flanked by wild plants and songbirds that goes from paved to gravel to dirt as it stretches deeper into the forest. Several people whose property abuts the road say the unimproved section is private, and to use it for activities such as all-terrain vehicle riding constitutes trespassing. Donahue, and the town itself, hold that the entire road is public. The former actress painted the orange blazes using historical maps to show what she holds is the centre of a public easement. Abutting property owners were incensed and the first successful recall petition drive in the town's 212-year history followed. Donahue was removed in April and an election to pick her successor is planned for next month. Tyler Hadyniak, one of the abutting property owners, said the recall was not just about the orange blazes or the woodland trail. He said it addressed a pattern of behaviour by Donahue that chafed longer established residents in the year since she took office. 'I was relieved that the recall was successful. I thought Heather's demeanour and behaviour toward others was just unbecoming of a town official,' Mr Hadyniak said. Donahue, who is originally from Pennsylvania and has spent long stretches of time living in California and travelling abroad, said she is aware of her status as what she called 'a lady from away'. She arrived in Maine after a winding journey in which she struggled with alcoholism, quit acting, became a medical marijuana farmer and wrote a memoir. Donahue said she came to the Pine Tree State eight years ago, overcame her addiction and bought land in Freedom in 2020. Recently, she has worked as a life coach and shared her passions for gardening and medicinal plants with anyone who will listen. She is not especially interested in reliving the glory of starring in The Blair Witch Project, one of the most successful independent movies of all time. An extreme close-up of Donahue's character in distress close to the film's climax is one of its most memorable moments. The movie sparked a resurgence of interest in 'found footage' style horror movies, wowed critics and polarised audiences with its homespun take on terror. Becoming lost in the woods is a key component in its spooky charm. Unfortunately, The Blair Witch Project also led Donahue to years of legal wrangling over compensation and the right to her likeness. Donahue makes occasional tongue-in-cheek references to the movie in passing, but also said it struck her several years ago that her life was inseparable from the film in ways that were not entirely comfortable. She added: 'I had this really difficult moment of realising my obituary was written for me when I was 25.' Ordinarily, the hottest gossip in Freedom concerns the peskiness of the local blackflies or the quality of the fishing on Sandy Pond. But the row over the road has become the talk of the sleepy town some 30 miles north-east of the state capital of Augusta. Donahue has defenders in the town, including Bob Kanzler, who served on a local roads committee and agrees that the disputed path is public land. 'Heather has done a wonderful job in researching these discontinued roads in town,' Mr Kanzler said. 'I know the road is public.' Despite the ongoing battle over the road, Donahue said she has found peace in Maine – and she is not going anywhere. 'I mean, this is where humans flourish,' she said of the Freedom woods. 'I've figured out a way to do a lot with very little. That was all kind of centred around being able to walk in the woods.' And she says of her life in the woods: 'For me, reading fairy tales, I always wanted to live in the forest. 'It is absolutely as magical as it seemed in those storybooks.'
Powys County Times
17-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Blair Witch Project star at centre of woodland dispute
The star of the classic horror movie The Blair Witch Project has found herself in the middle of a dispute in her remote US community – thanks to her efforts in helping people lost in the forest. Heather Donahue starred in the low-budget 1999 film about three film students who disappear in the woods while making a documentary about a legendary figure known as the Blair Witch. Now, 50-year-old Donahue – who left acting behind years ago – lives in the US state of Maine, in the town of Freedom, which has around 700 residents. In a twist of fate harkening back to her movie career, Donahue has been embroiled in a spat with locals that hinges on her marking trees with orange blazes to help people find their way in the dense forests. Donahue had been a member of the town's governing body, its select board, but lost a recall election recently after a controversy about whether a rural road that cuts through the woods is public or private property. The matter remains unresolved, with the town and abutting landowners fighting it out in court. The route in question is Beaver Ridge Road, a narrow, partially hilly stretch flanked by wild plants and songbirds that goes from paved to gravel to dirt as it stretches deeper into the forest. Several people whose property abuts the road say the unimproved section is private, and to use it for activities such as all-terrain vehicle riding constitutes trespassing. Donahue, and the town itself, hold that the entire road is public. The former actress painted the orange blazes using historical maps to show what she holds is the centre of a public easement. Abutting property owners were incensed and the first successful recall petition drive in the town's 212-year history followed. Donahue was removed in April and an election to pick her successor is planned for next month. Tyler Hadyniak, one of the abutting property owners, said the recall was not just about the orange blazes or the woodland trail. He said it addressed a pattern of behaviour by Donahue that chafed longer established residents in the year since she took office. 'I was relieved that the recall was successful. I thought Heather's demeanour and behaviour toward others was just unbecoming of a town official,' Mr Hadyniak said. Donahue, who is originally from Pennsylvania and has spent long stretches of time living in California and travelling abroad, said she is aware of her status as what she called 'a lady from away'. She arrived in Maine after a winding journey in which she struggled with alcoholism, quit acting, became a medical marijuana farmer and wrote a memoir. Donahue said she came to the Pine Tree State eight years ago, overcame her addiction and bought land in Freedom in 2020. Recently, she has worked as a life coach and shared her passions for gardening and medicinal plants with anyone who will listen. She is not especially interested in reliving the glory of starring in The Blair Witch Project, one of the most successful independent movies of all time. An extreme close-up of Donahue's character in distress close to the film's climax is one of its most memorable moments. The movie sparked a resurgence of interest in 'found footage' style horror movies, wowed critics and polarised audiences with its homespun take on terror. Becoming lost in the woods is a key component in its spooky charm. Unfortunately, The Blair Witch Project also led Donahue to years of legal wrangling over compensation and the right to her likeness. Donahue makes occasional tongue-in-cheek references to the movie in passing, but also said it struck her several years ago that her life was inseparable from the film in ways that were not entirely comfortable. She added: 'I had this really difficult moment of realising my obituary was written for me when I was 25.' Ordinarily, the hottest gossip in Freedom concerns the peskiness of the local blackflies or the quality of the fishing on Sandy Pond. But the row over the road has become the talk of the sleepy town some 30 miles north-east of the state capital of Augusta. Donahue has defenders in the town, including Bob Kanzler, who served on a local roads committee and agrees that the disputed path is public land. 'Heather has done a wonderful job in researching these discontinued roads in town,' Mr Kanzler said. 'I know the road is public.' Despite the ongoing battle over the road, Donahue said she has found peace in Maine – and she is not going anywhere. 'I mean, this is where humans flourish,' she said of the Freedom woods. 'I've figured out a way to do a lot with very little. That was all kind of centred around being able to walk in the woods.' And she says of her life in the woods: 'For me, reading fairy tales, I always wanted to live in the forest.
